SAN DIEGO—Leap Wireless International Inc. said it signed an agreement to provide its users direct access to Google Inc.’s wireless products and services.
The deal allows Leap customers to use Google’s Gmail e-mail service, Google maps and the company’s search engine features. In addition, customers can access local listings and real-time traffic information from Google.
The deal is notable as most wireless carriers have shied away from Google and its mobile offerings—likely because the company offers its wireless services for free, and wireless carriers would rather offer applications they can charge for.
However, Leap isn’t the first wireless player to shake hands with Google. Motorola Inc. and other handset makers have signed deals to add a Google button to some of their phones, and carriers including T-Mobile in Europe and Sprint Nextel Corp. in the United States have agreed to offer various portions of Google’s wireless portfolio.
